President Obama decided to make a quick visit to the Washington D.C. Auto Show this week in order to applaud American automobile manufacturers for their recent green transportation successes. While at the show, he hopped behind the wheel of a Ford C-Mas Energi plug-in hybrid electric, the Chevy Malibu Eco, the new Ford Fusion and a host of other American-made vehicles. The Obama administration has done much to push green vehicle innovation and it seems that perhaps candidate Obama will be using the auto industry’s rebound from the darkest days of the recession as an argument for his success as commander in chief.

“When you look at all these cars, it is testimony to the outstanding work that’s been done by workers, American workers, American designers,” Obama said, while perusing the cars at the show. “The U.S. auto industry is back. The fact that GM is back, number one, I think shows the kind of turnaround that’s possible when it comes to American manufacturing.” While the President was at the Auto Show he had a special interest in sustainability, and his staff told the automakers to get their greenest vehicles ready before the President arrived.

When he showed up on site, Ford, GM and Dodge had their eco-cars perfectly shined up for a presidential visit. Although he did venture in to see a Jeep, a large truck and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 which he was especially enamored with, it seems he had a keen eye for new American-made low-emissions technology. Representatives from international companies like Mercedes-Benz, Honda and Kia were unhappy that the President didn’t stop by their booths to gaze upon the low-emission vehicles they had on display. We think the shun of overseas automakers — even though some produce vehicles in the United States for the American market — is an indicator that the President is setting himself up as candidate Obama, who has helped to bring the American auto industry back to its feet.